Spatial Planning Intern
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Job Description
About Zipline
Zipline is a company dedicated to revolutionizing goods movement by creating the first instant logistics system offering equitable access for everyone. Their focus is on addressing critical access challenges globally. They achieve this through the design, building, and operation of a cutting-edge fleet of autonomous delivery drones, leveraging expertise in robotics and autonomy. Zipline currently serves tens of millions of people worldwide. The company’s internship program emphasizes meaningful contributions to its mission, providing interns with real-world experience and skill development.
Job Description: Spatial Planning Intern
Zipline’s Spatial Planning Team develops scalable solutions for rapid expansion into new regions and countries. The team’s work directly impacts drone flight operations by creating tools and services that define flight areas, constraints, and provide essential data for safe and efficient autonomous flights.
Responsibilities:
This internship will involve contributing to and owning portions of Zipline’s Spatial Planning stack. Specific tasks may include:
• Developing and maintaining containerized services generating spatial planning artifacts.
• Utilizing GeoData tools for visualization and evaluation of land features influencing serviceability.
• Collaborating with teams to ensure instantaneous global access to spatial data.
• Improving path planning algorithms for faster, more reliable routing.
• Building systems for efficient geo-indexing and geo-accessing spatial constraints.
• Adapting existing spatial planning to accommodate varied costs and models, developing supporting infrastructure for cost-based search.
Project Examples:
Past interns have worked on projects such as:
• Prototyping new path planning algorithms for enhanced long-range routes.
• Integrating multidimensional risk data into the routing engine.
• Creating tools for generating composite Digital Elevation Models.
• Developing infrastructure for drone-based surveys of large areas for terrain and imagery updates.
Qualifications:
• Completion of at least the second year of undergraduate studies (Masters and PhD students are also eligible).
• Proficient Python coding skills, with a willingness to explore new languages and ideas.
• Ability to write clean, modular, well-documented code.
• Understanding of and experience with automated testing practices.
• Deep understanding of algorithmic optimization techniques, especially as applied to robotics motion planning.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Onsite work in South San Francisco.
• Experience supporting or developing novel algorithmic research.
• Experience with spatial data.
Additional Information:
The internship is a full-time, in-person position at the South San Francisco office, running from May to August 2025. The starting hourly pay range is $40-$44, with potential for additional compensation based on experience and location. Zipline is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.
